Bottom brace for hammer leads frame

ABSTRACT

A pile driving machine having a boom and a leads frame universally pivotally connected thereto adjacent the upper end thereof and a positioning and an adjustment securing frame having longitudinally adjustable side legs, each individually pivotally connected adjacent and opposite the lower side portions of said boom and to the lower side portions of said leads frame, and said side legs being each individually extendable on each side of their joint pivotal connection whereby of said legs adjacent will effect movement of said leads frame to or from said boom and whereby relative extension of either of said legs will effect desired lateral movement of said leads frame on its universal pivotal connection with the boom. The power means for effecting the above desired adjustments are effected by means on said Xframe.

Elie Etates atent [1 1 Frederick [54] BOTTOM BRACE FOR HAMMER LEADS FRAME [76] Inventor: Leonard L. Frederick, 15 Crestview Terrace, Whippany, NJ 07981 [22] Filed: May 11, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 142,182

[52] 11.8. C1 ..248/2, 173/43 [51] Int. Cl ..E02d 7/14, E02d 13/04 [58] Field of Search ..248/2, 16; 214/25,

214/3, 313, 328, 652, 778, 714, 730, 766, 770,141, 454,1.3, 333, 151, 1 SW, 1 Bl-I, DIG. 2, 77 P; 74/540, 522, 99, 89; 173/38,

[111 3,734,435 51 May 22, 1973 2,998,856 9/1961 Larsen et al. ..173/43 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,634,471 6/1970 Germany ..l73/43 Primary ExaminerJ. Franklin Foss Attorney-Edwin E. Greigg and Everett G. Clements [5 7] ABSTRACT A pile driving machine having a boom and a leads frame universally pivotally connected thereto adjacent the upper end thereof and a positioning and an adjustment securing frame having longitudinally adjustable side legs, each individually pivotally connected adjacent and opposite the lower side portions of said boom and to the lower side portions of said leads frame, and said side legs being each individually extendable on each side of their joint pivotal connection whereby of said legs adjacent will effect movement of said leads frame to or from said boom and whereby relative extension of either of said legs will effect desired lateral movement of said leads frame on its universal pivotal connection with the boom. The power means for effecting the above desired adjustments are effected by means on said X-frame.

15 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEL 14..Y2 215173 SHEET 1 [IF 4 INVENTOR LEONARD L. FREDERICK PATENTED M22 I975 SHEET 4 [IF 4 l l l l H l lU HHH i BOTTOM BRACE FOR HAMMER LEADS FRAME This invention relates to improvements in pile drivers and more particularly to a bottom brace construction used in conjunction therewith for aligning the lower end of the driver to enable one to shift the lead frame at various angles forward, right or left so that piles may be driven on fore and aft and side to side batter and more specifically involves the use of an extensible X shaped brace for accomplishing this purpose.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known by those skilled in the art that pile foundations require a great number of piles to be driven on a slope or batter. Thus, a bottom brace which can easily move the bottom of the lead, equally under power in any of four directions or combinations thereof is an absolute necessity.

Commercial cranes are more frequently being converted on the site for use as pile drivers by the addition of mountable leads and a bottom brace; therefore, the addition thereto of a quickly attachable light-weight powered bottom brace is important as it reduces the cost in terms of labor and time.

THE INVENTION Accordingly, the primary object of this invention is to provide a light-weight inexpensive extensible bottom brace that is easily mounted on a commercial crane which will allow the operator to quickly and positively position the bottom of the leads frame rigidly in either a fore and aft or side to side compound batter with power and without the need for auxiliary locking devices such as pins, clamps, etc.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fourway controllable extensible bottom brace for pile drivers which is in the form of an X and wherein the legs of the X are controlled together or independently of one another to cause the end connection to the leads frame to move fore and aft or side to side or in combination to align the leads frame in a vertical, slanted or compound batter position.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a four-way controllable extensible bottom brace for pile drivers which will operate on the source of power available from the crane to which it is attached.

Heretofore, many different designs have evolved for obtaining the compound or angled batter positions and in most cases required locking pins to obtain rigidity and/or massive braces for guiding the lower lead end.

The U.S. Pat. to W.F. Larsen et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,998,856 discloses a construction where the bottom brace assumes a rectangular or parallelogram configuration and because of the shortcomings in its design requires braces with locking pins to gain rigidity.

Whereas, the bottom brace described in this invention rigidly locks by virtue of its design, which incorporates a pair of pivotally arranged triangular elements and in which two sides of the triangle are formed by extensible portions which form rigid sides when power is not applied locking the triangle rigidly.

The invention will be better understood and further objects and advantages will become more apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawing in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view in full lines showing the boom and one end of an X-frame attached to the front portion of a pile driving machine with the other end of the X-frame secured to the bottom of a leads frame with forward and rear batter capability shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 2 shows a front elevation view of the machine with the leads frame shifted to one side to accomplish left or right batter;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view in full lines of the X-frame attached to the machine and leads frame, the dotted lines depicting the versatility of side to side and forward batter;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of line 44 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of one embodiment ofa portion of the X-frame showing in cross section part of the driving means;

FIG. 6 in a cross sectional view on line 66 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view with the base at the machine wider than the base at the leads frame, the dotted lines indicating forward and side positions of the leads frame and corresponding positions of the X- frame; of an X-frame FIG. 8 is a top plan view of an embodiment suitable for use in the arrangement of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of line 9-9 of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a view, partially elevational and partially cross sectional of another embodiment of the X-frame showing the driving means for extensibility;

FIG. 11 is a partial plan view of another embodiment of the X-frame showing the driving means in cross section and FIG. 12 is a plan view of a further embodiment using power cylinders and a modified pivot arrangement.

i DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS pivot in any direction. The construction of the universal joint 13 is not germain to the present invention and may be of any design which is well known in the art.

As better seen in FIG. 2, plate 14 is welded or otherwise affixed to the back chords of the lead frame near its lower end and provided with a perforation medially thereof as shown. The rectangular plate I5 is perforated midway of its length and arranged to receive a pivot bolt 16 which extends through plate 14 thereby pivotally attaching plates 15 and 14 together. The clevises l7 and 18 are welded or otherwise attached to each end of the rectangular plate 15 and face rearward toward the crane, and another pair of clevises 19 and 20 equally disposed from the center of the cab and secured on opposite sides of the boom are provided for purposes which will now become apparent.

Referring now to FIG. 3 there is shown in full lines an extensible X" frame which constitutes the present inventive concept and which comprises two leg mem' bers 21 and 22 pivotally mounted at their centers to each other by bolt 23 so that the legs may rotate with respect to each other with a scissors action. Leg member 21 is constructed (see FIG. 4) of two hollow tubular elements 24 and 25, which are arranged parallel to each other and suitably spaced to allow for the pivotal mounting means disposed between the elements with the pair of elements being rigidly held by plates 26 and 27 that are welded or otherwise affixed near each end. Also, as shown in FIG. 4 there is slidably arranged within each tubular element 24 and 25 an H-beam 28-29; respectively. The C-shaped means 30 and 31 comprise centering slide blocks and are fastened to the web of the H-beams at the trailing ends thereof and inside the mouth of the square tube. The blocks are adjacent the torque motor sprocket on one end and the idler sprocket on the other and are made of bronze or cast iron to provide a good sliding surface. As wear developes, shims can be added in back of the back wall to take up play. C-shaped blocks 30a and 31a are fastened adjacent the ends of tubular elements 24 and 25 to form slide and stop means.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the H- beams 28-29 are only made slightly longer than the bodies into which they slide and are arranged to extend like amounts in the opposite direction. It will be apparent from the drawings of FIG. 3 in particular that the arrangement is such that the H-beams when extended in opposite directions increase the length of the l g member approximately 2% times. of course, a suitab e extent of the H-beam is disposed with the tubular el ments to provide for rigidity. The terminus 36, 35 f each of the I-I-beam means projecting from their su port members 24 and 25, respectively, is perforat d and suitably attached by pin means to the respecti e clevis means referred to earlier. i

Since both of the leg members 21 and 22, respeptively, are constructed in the same manner, it is b lieved unnecessary to make further comment there 11 except to state that it is believed that the function oft i e leg members forming the X brace will be clear fro the description that follows.

In addition to the spacing plates 26 and 27 which a e secured to the opposite ends of each pair of legs 21 a d 22, respectively, there is also suitably affixed across tubes 24 and 25 medially at the top and bottom there f reinforcing rigid perforated plates 34 which are adapted to receive pivot bolt means 23 about which the respective leg members may rotate. i

This type of pivot means is used in all of the various embodiments of the X frame which will be disclosed hereinafter.

It will now be understood by those skilled in the art that since the distance between clevises l7 and 18 and clevises 19 and 20 are equal, then the triangle described by clevis l9 and 20 and pivot bolt 23 is substantially congruent to the triangle formed by clevis 17 and 18 and pivot bolt 23. Further, since plate is maintained parallel to the face of the crane to which clevises l9 and 20 are attached, plate 15 may be moved forwardly, rearwardly and from side to side, while at the same time the extensible arms 28, 29, will slide within their respective tubes, with the extensible arms of leg member 21 arranged to extend oppositely equal amounts, and the extensible arms of leg member 22 also extending oppositely equal amounts. It is believed to be clear from the foregoing and an examination of FIG. 3 that when the legs are in the full line position, the triangles formed by the legs and the parts to which they are attached are isosceles triangles and when the legs are extended the same amount the triangles continue to be isosceles and the rear end of the leads frame is maintained parallel to the crane while being extended directly in front on the crane as shown by the lower dotted lines in FIG. 3. On the other hand, if one leg is extended further than the other leg, or if one leg is extended and the other leg is not, then the said triangles are no longer isosceles and the leads frame will move to the right or left of the crane. For example, as shown in dotted lines at the top of FIG. 3, the leads frame moves to the left when looking away from the crane, when the leg 22 becomes longer than leg 21.

Accordingly, in view of the foregoing one must now provide a power system for achieving the desired result for shifting the lead frame in the manner described earlier. Force must be applied to extend or retract the extensible arms of each leg member independently from that of the other, both arms of one leg member being extended or retracted the same amount and at the same time.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5 and 6 which disclose the preferred embodiment for applying equal power to each of the arms. Since both arms 21 and 22 are identical, only one is shown in FIG. 5 and will be described.

The perforated plates 26 form a support for the torque motor 38, its shaft 39 extending downwardly between the tubular elements 24 and 25 and in driving relation with the sprocket 40 which extends into openings 41 and 42 in tubular elements 24 and 25. At the opposite end of the legs suitable plates 27 (one shown in FIG. 5) are arranged to secure the 24 and 25 in parallel planes, an idler sprocket 45 being arranged between said plates and also extending into openings in tubular elements 24 and 25. Assembled in a loop about drive sprocket or drum 40 and roller sprocket or pulley 45 is a roller chain 46 which is attached firmly by anchors 47 and 48 near the inner ends of the extensible arms 28 and 29 which are secured by bolts to the web of said extensible arms the chain 46 thereby acting in tension to move the extensible arms in or out equal amounts as the drive sprocket 40 is rotated by the torque motor 38. It should be obvious that torque motor 38 may be re placed by any type of motor air, oil, or electric, with suitable gearing developing enough force to move the extensible arms in or out against the weight of the leads frame.

It should be understood that the second leg member 22 is powered in the same way with a separate motor so that each leg member can be extended or retracted independently of the other.

In the above described extensible X bottom brace, the length of each of the four segmented legs is equal about the center pivot pin and the distances between clevis brackets 17, 18 and 19, 20 are equal. Plate 15 being longer than the width of the leads sometimes becomes a nuisance and is awkward on the job. If the base distance between clevises is shortened, the brace becomes too narrow at the crane and it loses its rigidity. By shifting the center pivot pin 23 forward, this problem can be overcome.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a geometric illustration of the X bottom brace with the base at the crane larger than the base at the leads frame. By choosing different lengths between clevises 49 and 50 on crane l0 and clevises 52 and 53 on the leads frame and then placing the center pivot 51 at the intersection of the center lines of the leg members, two dissimilar triangles are formed 49, 50, 51, and 52, 53, 51. In order to maintain the proportionality of the two triangles as the frame is extended forwardly, rearwardly or from side to side (while maintaining plate parallel to the face of the crane), the forwardly divergent extensible arm represented by points 51 and 52 must extend or contract with respect to the rearwardly divergent extensible arm 51 and 49 and the forward extensible arm represented by 51 and 53 must extend or contract with respect to the rearwardly divergent extensible arm 51 and 50 as the ratio of the distance between the bases i.e. the distance between points 49 and 50 divided by the distance between points 52 and 53. The illustrations of forward and one sideway motions are shown in phantom. This can be accomplished in a number of ways although a practical solution is to make the ratio 2:1 and use a modified roller chain drive as previously described.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown such a modified drive in which a torque motor 38, drive sprocket or drum 40 and idler sprocket pulley 45 are arranged the same as described earlier. The forwardly divergent extensible arm 35a has a portion of the web removed to accommodate two idler sprockets or pulley 54 and 55 as more clearly shown in FIG. 9. The upper and lower flanges are suitably perforated to receive shaft 56 on which is mounted idler sprocket 54 suitably bushed to rotate freely and spaced by sleeves 5757 and arranged approximately medially of shaft 56. The shaft 58 together with its idler 55 is arranged in such a manner that the roller chains may traverse the sprockets without any interference. The idler sprockets 54 and 55 are positioned rearwardly of the medial area of extensible arm 35a so that the distance between the sprockets 54 and 55 and idler sprocket 45 is greater than the maximum extension required which in this instance is one-half the length of the extensible arm. With both extensible arms completely retracted, one end of roller chain 46a is anchored to tube 25a by a suitable clamp 47a. The chain 46a is then arranged to extend rearwardly around idler sprocket 54, then longitudinally up to and around idler sprocket 45, then rearwardly where it passes around drive sprocket 40 and extends forwardly and around sprocket 55. The terminal portion of the chain is affixed to a threaded tension takeup rod 59 which passes through a suitable perforation in end plate 61. Any suitable means, such as a nut 60, is availed of to apply tension to the chain.

As the drive sprocket rotates counterclockwise, it pulls on the segment of the chain between it and the anchor clamp 48a causing the rearwardly extensible arm 36a to extend a distance equal to the movement of the chain. This also pulls on the portion of the chain which extends around idler sprocket 45 and back to and around idler sprocket 54. Since one end of the roller chain is affixed to the tube 25a at clamp 47a, the portion of the chain between idler sprockets 45 and 54 exerts a force pulling idler 54 and the forwardly extensible arm 35a to which its shaft is attached, thus moving it in a forward direction. It should be clear to those skilled in the art that for a given movement of the roller chain 46a, idler sprocket 54 moves exactly one-half the distance since one-half of the roller chain length required is supplied by that portion between idler sprocket 54 and the anchor 47a. The forwardly extensible arm 35a therefore extends exactly one-half the distance of the rearwardly extensible arm. When the torque motor 38 and drive sprocket 40 rotate clockwise, the force is exerted on idler sprocket 55 in the same manner and the arms retract in the same ratio. It is also believed to be clear that the same operation can be achieved by substituting cables or other belting with appropriate drive and idler wheels for the chain and sprocket arrangement just described.

Other forms of drive can be used to achieve ratios other than 2:1 as shown above. Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown a further embodiment of a two-step pulley or drum 62 which is driven by the motor 38 and substituted for drive sprocket of the previous embodiment of the invention and adjacent the other end of the leg member two independently rotating coaxial idler pulleys 66 and 67 are substituted for the single idler sprocket shown in FIg. 8. In this embodiment the cable 63 passes around the groove of the larger pulley twice, around the upper idler pulley 66 and is thereafter fastened by a cable clamp 68 to the web of the rearwardly extensible arm. In like manner, a cable traverses the groove of the smaller drive and the lower idler pulley 67 and is then affixed to the web of the forwardly divergent extensible arm 35a. As the drive pulley! 62 is rotated by torque motor 38, the arms will mo e linearly with their respective cables in direct proportion to the diameters of the pulley grooves, thus variou ratios can be achieved by varying the ratio of the gro ove diameters on the drive pulley.

Other extensible means may be substituted for that pre viously described. For example, another embodime nt may use hydraulic power cylinders as the extensible means. Referring now to FIG. 11, such an embodime t is shown wherein two hydraulic power cylinders 70 nd 71 are arranged to extend parallel to each other to orm one leg member. The cylinders are held in this relationship by suitable end plates and have assembled theteto plates 69 which are adapted to support a center piv t for the adjacent leg of the X bottom brace. At thel end of each piston rod is assembled a swivel joint which is adapted to engage clevises on the crane and leads as explained hereinbefore. By appropriately metering the oil to each cylinder by known means, such as using needle valves or adjustable positive displacement pumps, any ratio of extensions may be achieved, the reby operating with the same facility as the previously described embodiments.

FIG. 12 shows still another embodiment wherein the leg members are assembled so that the planes through the two extensible members of each of the leg members 22 and 21 are assembled and pivoted at right angles and wherein one leg member occupies the space between the two parallel extensible members of the other leg member. The operation of this embodiment is the same as in all previous embodiments and could encompass any of the construction and drive elements described in the previous embodiments.

The foregoing specification and drawings made a part thereof, disclose various embodiments of this invention, and it is contemplated to be within the scope of the inventive concept that the structural details may be modified and changed as regards to the immediate illustrations, all within the true intent and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined and claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a pile driving apparatus comprising a machine having a boom and a leads frame, the lower portion of the boom being pivotally connected to the machine and the upper portion of the boom being universally connected with the upper portion of the leads frame, the

improvement comprising an X-frame extending between the machine and the lower portion of the leads frame, said X-frame comprising a pair of legs each of which is pivotally connected at one end to the machine and at the other end to the leads frame, said legs crossing each other to form an X and said legs being pivotally attached to each other at the point of crossing, the four portions of said legs between the pivot point and the machine or the leads frame each being extensible or contractable whereby the leads frame may be moved away from or towards the machine or to the right or left of the machine while the legs are pivotally attached to each other and without changing the distances between the ends of the legs at the ends of the X-frame.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the legs are changed in length by drive means associated with each leg.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pivot point is located medially of the X-frame and the drive means for each leg member causes the length of the portions of a said leg member between the pivot point and the machine or the leads frame to vary by t e same amount.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein t e pivot point is located non-medially of the X-frame a i d the drive means for each leg member causes the leng h of the portions of a said leg member between the piv t point and the machine or the leads frame to vary byfa predetermined ratio. 1

S. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which th drive means for each leg member causes the lengths pf the portions of a said leg member between the piv t point and the machine or the leads frame to vary by a y desired ratio. 1

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein t e drive means comprises a motor mounted on each leg.

7. An apparatus as claimedin claim 6, wherein said motor mounted on a said leg drives a flexible means associated with arms telescoped in parallel tubular leg portions to move said arms in opposite directions froin said pivot point. r

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said motor drives a drum and said flexible means comprises an endless elongated flexible member trained over said drum at one end of said leg and over an idler pulley at the other end of said leg.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said motor drives a drum and said flexible means comprises an elongated flexible member secured at one end to an end of the leg then trained over an idler pulley carried by one of said arms, then trained over said drum, then trained over an idler pulley at the other end of the leg, then trained over an idler pulley carried by said one arm and then secured adjacent said other end of said leg, said flexible member also being secured to the other of said arms.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said motor drives a drum having portions of different diameters, said flexible means comprises elongated flexible members, one of said flexible members being trained about one of said drum portions and the other of said flexible members being trained about the other of said drum portions.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the drive means comprises hydraulic piston and cylinder means for changing the length of each leg portion.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein each leg comprises a pair of tubular members comprising hydraulic cylinders, a piston is located in each cylinder and piston rods extend outwardly from each cylinder in opposite directions.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each leg comprises parallel tubular members and the legs lie in parallel planes.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each leg comprises parallel tubular members and the legs lie in perpendicular planes and one leg lies between the tubular members of the other leg.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the legs are pivotally attached to a cross plate on the leads frame and the cross plate is pivotally attached to the leads frame. 

1. In a pile driving apparatus comprising a machine having a boom and a leads frame, the lower portion of the boom being pivotally connected to the machine and the upper portion of the boom being universally connected with the upper portion of the leads frame, the improvement comprising an X-frame extending between the machine and the lower portion of the leads frame, said X-frame comprising a pair of legs each of which is pivotally connected at one end to the machine and at the other end to the leads frame, said legs crossing each other to form an X and said legs being pivotally attached to each other at the point of crossing, the four portions of said legs between the pivot point and the machine or the leads frame each being extensible or contractable whereby the leads frame may be moved away from or towards the machine or to the right or left of the machine while the legs are pivotally attached to each other and without changing the distances between the ends of the legs at the ends of the X-frame.
 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the legs are changed in length by drive means associated with each leg.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pivot point is located medially of the X-frame and the drive means for each leg member causes the length of the portions of a said leg member between the pivot point and the machine or the leads frame to vary by the same amount.
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the pivot point is located non-medially of the X-frame and the drive means for each leg member causes the length of the portions of a said leg member between the pivot point and the machine or the leads frame to vary by a predetermined ratio.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the drive means for each leg member causes the lengths of the portions of a said leg member between the pivot point and the machine or the leads frame to vary by any desired ratio.
 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the drive meAns comprises a motor mounted on each leg.
 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said motor mounted on a said leg drives a flexible means associated with arms telescoped in parallel tubular leg portions to move said arms in opposite directions from said pivot point.
 8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said motor drives a drum and said flexible means comprises an endless elongated flexible member trained over said drum at one end of said leg and over an idler pulley at the other end of said leg.
 9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said motor drives a drum and said flexible means comprises an elongated flexible member secured at one end to an end of the leg then trained over an idler pulley carried by one of said arms, then trained over said drum, then trained over an idler pulley at the other end of the leg, then trained over an idler pulley carried by said one arm and then secured adjacent said other end of said leg, said flexible member also being secured to the other of said arms.
 10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said motor drives a drum having portions of different diameters, said flexible means comprises elongated flexible members, one of said flexible members being trained about one of said drum portions and the other of said flexible members being trained about the other of said drum portions.
 11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the drive means comprises hydraulic piston and cylinder means for changing the length of each leg portion.
 12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein each leg comprises a pair of tubular members comprising hydraulic cylinders, a piston is located in each cylinder and piston rods extend outwardly from each cylinder in opposite directions.
 13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each leg comprises parallel tubular members and the legs lie in parallel planes.
 14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each leg comprises parallel tubular members and the legs lie in perpendicular planes and one leg lies between the tubular members of the other leg.
 15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the legs are pivotally attached to a cross plate on the leads frame and the cross plate is pivotally attached to the leads frame. 